A packer assembly includes (a) a mandrel bearing an expandable packer element, the mandrel having a ratchet section, a lower collet retaining shoulder, and defining a plurality of longitudinal slots; (b) a push sleeve connected to a ratchet ring by at least one shear pin, wherein the ratchet ring is disposed between push sleeve and the mandrel and engages the mandrel ratchet section; (c) a shift sleeve comprising an inner shift sleeve slidingly disposed within the mandrel and having a lower collet, the inner shift sleeve defining a profile for engaging a shifting tool, and an outer shift sleeve slidingly around the mandrel and connected to the inner shift sleeve with a plurality of bolts, wherein each bolt passes through a longitudinal slot defined by the mandrel; (d) wherein the shift sleeve and push sleeve is moveable between a running position and a released position. Also disclosed are methods of using a packer actuated by a sliding sleeve.